Grand Western European Rail Journey: Lisbon to Rome

Your Journey Begins in Lisbon

Welcome to Portugal! Arrive in Lisbon, settle in at your hotel for a two-night stay, and start exploring this vibrant capital. Why not enjoy a delicious seafood dinner in the heart of the city? After all, Lisbon is known for its tasty coastal cuisine.

Lisbon

Embark on a guided small group tour of Lisbon's highlights and discover the city's unique charm. Explore the narrow streets of the historic Alfama neighbourhood, visit the iconic Belem Tower, and admire the ornate architecture of Jeronimo's Monastery. With a small group tour, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with your guide and fellow travelers, making for a more personalized and immersive experience. Whether it's your first time in Lisbon or you're a seasoned traveler, this guided tour is the perfect way to discover the city's highlights and hidden gems. Want to upgrade to a private tour? Just ask your Rail Expert! B

Meals: B

Lisbon to Seville

Hop on the coach today for a 6-hour ride to Seville. Keep your eyes peeled for the Flamingos as you cross the Vasco de Gama bridge - the longest in Europe - and once arrived check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. B

Meals: B

Seville

Experience the incredible history and culture of Seville today with your hop-on, hop-off tour, learning more about the major landmarks of the Andalucian capital, including Spanish Square and Maria Luisa Park, San Cruz Quarter, and Triana, the birthplace of flamenco. Admire the city's great architectural styles on display, from Islamic and Gothic to Rococo. In the evening, enjoy a meal of tapas and sample other local specialities at one of the many pavement bars around the city. B

Meals: B

Seville to Madrid

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel this morning and then take the high-speed AVE train to Madrid. On arrival, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Settle into your hotel, and then head out to start exploring the vibrant Spanish capital at your own pace. B

Meals: B

Madrid

Continue your discovery of Madrid today with a panoramic open-top bus tour. Sit back and relax as a live expert guide points out the city's top landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Puerta de Alcalá, Biblioteca Nacional, and Cybele Palace. It’s a great way to take in the highlights of the Spanish capital in comfort. B

Meals: B

Madrid to Barcelona

Enjoy breakfast in Madrid before checking out of your hotel and making your way to the railway station, where you'll catch a high-speed train to Barcelona. Upon arrival, head to your hotel to check in for a two-night stay. Set out and explore the colourful city, wandering down the city's most famous shopping street, Las Ramblas, catching a boat out on the ocean or riding the cable car to the top of Montjuic Hill, where you'll be treated to delightful views over the city as well as a plethora of grand museums. B

Meals: B

Barcelona

After breakfast, start your Spanish adventure today with a guided visit to Barcelona’s most iconic landmark, the Sagrada Familia. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, learn about Gaudí’s extraordinary vision, the rich symbolism behind his designs, and how nature influenced every aspect of this architectural masterpiece. Explore the breathtaking interior and discover why this basilica remains a must-see highlight of the city. B

Meals: B

Barcelona to Paris

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then make your way to the station for your train to Paris. On arrival, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay and then perhaps head out for some dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to the hotel for a good night's rest. B

Meals: B

Paris

Experience panoramic views of Paris from atop the Eiffel Tower today with your included summit access ticket! Afterwards, be sure to visit some of the city's exquisite bakeries to enjoy fresh pastries and delicate Macarons. Another good way to see the sights of the city is with your hop-on, hop-off bus tour - various routes run throughout the city and you can get on and off the bus as many times as you like. B

Meals: B

Paris

Continue exploring Paris with your hop-on, hop-off bus tour today. Perhaps visit the stunning Arc de Triomphe, offering wonderful views from the top of the Arc across the twelve Parisian avenues that connect around it. Or take a tour of the spectacular Notre Dame and admire the gargoyles and bells of this incredible Gothic masterpiece built between 1163 and 1345. We've also included a sightseeing cruise on the River Seine, for a different view of this magical city. B

Meals: B

Paris to Zurich

Take the smooth, direct train ride from Paris to Zurich this morning and check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Zurich is known worldwide as being Switzerland's sophisticated financial capital, but it's also so much more than that. Fringed by distant mountains and gracing the banks of the winding River Limmat, the international banks and financial institutions add a contemporary edge to the scenes of intricate stained-glass windows, cobbled pavements and characteristic spires that reveal glimpses into the city's rich past. Amble down the Lake Promenade and the winding streets of the Old Town or unearth the artistic masterpieces of the Kunsthaus. B

Meals: B

Zurich

After breakfast this morning, spend the day discovering more of Zurich at your leisure. Maybe peruse the shops along the Bahnhofstrasse, famed as one of the most attractive shopping streets in the world. Alternatively, you may wish to learn about the history of Switzerland at the Landesmuseum. B

Meals: B

Zurich to Zermatt

Enjoy a scenic train ride from Zurich to the quaint mountain town of Zermatt, with the iconic Matterhorn towering in the background. Zermatt is a car-free town, so exploring it on foot is a breeze! B

Meals: B

Day Trip to Gornergrat

Today, take an exciting ride on the Gornergrat cog railway, which climbs from 1,604 metres above sea level to 3,090 metres in just 33 minutes, and is a marvel of 19th Century engineering. From the top, take in one of the most spectacular panoramas in all of Switzerland with the iconic outline of the Matterhorn as well as the surrounding peaks and glaciers all around you. You might be lucky enough to spot a Chamois or Marmot during your visit and enjoy a stroll through the nature reserve and maybe even enjoy a fondue. Take the same route back down to Zermatt where you can enjoy the numerous small bars and restaurants on the car-free roads of this beautiful Swiss mountain village. B

Meals: B

The Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz

After a nice breakfast this morning, enjoy the full splendour of one of Switzerland's most famous journeys, the Glacier Express. Early in the journey the train cruises over the impressive Landwasser Viaduct, which is a marvel of Swiss engineering from a bygone era. This train is otherwise known as the slowest express train in the world and winds its way over numerous high passes and meanders past many small Swiss lakes and villages until pulling into St. Moritz nearly eight hours after departure. While the journey is slow, it's certainly one to check off the bucket list! B

Meals: B

The Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Milan

Get ready for a memorable day on the tracks gliding past incredible mountain scenery from St. Moritz to Milan via Tirano on the iconic Bernina Express. The tracks of the Bernina Express have now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the journey will meander through snow-dusted mountain ranges, across striking stone viaducts and along the banks of some of Switzerland's sparkling lakes. This is one train journey you won't soon forget! On arrival, make your way to your hotel and check in for an overnight stay. Home to the Last Supper, the majestic La Scala Opera House and a beautiful cathedral, Milan is the heart of Italian style and sophistication. B

Meals: B

Milan to Venice

After breakfast this morning, catch the high-speed Trenitalia train from Milan to Venice. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay before setting out to acquaint yourself with the classic Italian city. Stroll down the banks of the shimmering canals and discover the magnificent architecture that lines the cobbled streets and squares. Come the evening, relax at an outdoor trattoria by the sparkling lagoon, or why not head to Harry's Bar to try a delectable Bellini in the cocktail's birthplace? B

Meals: B

Venice

Spend a full day exploring Venice today. Discover the city's hidden gems and highlights on a walking tour, or take an iconic, relaxing gondola ride through the historic canals. Enjoy the included tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, two of the city's most popular monuments. B

Meals: B

Venice

Continue your exploration of Venice by visiting some of the city's masterpieces, such as the Basilica of San Marco adorned with Byzantine architecture and glimmering angels dotted across the ceilings. Alternatively take a stroll along St. Mark's Basin up the waterfront promenade, with the bell towers of San Giorgio Maggiore on the left and San Marco on the right. B

Meals: B

Venice to Florence

After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and make your way to the train station for your journey to Florence. Spend the day exploring the city after checking in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Admire the charming views along the River Arno and cross the city's oldest bridge, the 14th-century Ponte Vecchio. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a privately guided tour of the renowned Uffizi Gallery, where you’ll discover masterpieces by Renaissance legends such as Botticelli, Raphael, and Michelangelo. This evening, be sure to sample some authentic Tuscan cuisine, including a glass of wine from the hills that surround the city. B

Meals: B

Florence to Rome

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and catch the train to Rome. On arrival, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. Shrouded in legend, Rome is home to hundreds of ancient artefacts, architecture, beautiful churches, and Basilicas. Don't miss a stroll around some of the beautiful museums of the city - the Vatican Museum holds a superb collection as well as housing the Sistine Chapel. Make time for a delicious Italian ice cream in one of the pretty cafes by the Trevi fountain, lovely in the evening. B

Meals: B

Rome

After breakfast this morning, walk in the footsteps of gladiators at the famous Colosseum on your included tour. Don't forget to have your photo taken with one of the slightly more modern gladiators outside! B

Meals: B

Rome

Head out to explore after breakfast, and don't miss the architectural masterpiece, the Pantheon, one of Rome's best-preserved buildings. Walk in the footsteps of the Romans at the Forum or follow Audrey Hepburn and dare to put your hand into the Bocca della Verito to prove that you are trustworthy! B

Meals: B

Your Journey Ends in Rome

Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you'd like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements. B